'Fungihomeworld' found that local New Jersey tapwater is riddled with fibers. He studied and changed the water filters numerous times going though Brita, Pur and Burkey purification systems. Fibers show up in all them after a short time. On a quest for clean drinking water, he began testing bottled water, then bottled distilled water—only to find a lot of 'debris' (fibers and other gunk) in them. He purchased a home water distiller which was better, but not great. Fibers were riding their way through the steam. He then switched to a 1 micron water filtration system and found it totally lacking.

At last he has found a system he is satisfied with. Not perfect, but close. See update, bottom.

Above and Below: Residue of gunk left in the distiller after boiling.

Update Homeworld July 14, 2011:

the countertop reverse osmosis filtration system arrived today.it came with a two gallon US made non BPA plastic water tank.AND a TDS [total dissolved solids] meter.

..hooked it up...everything is snug..no leaks...[!]...filtered and stashed 8 gallons of water..

testing: tap water measures about 300 ppm (parts per million) with the TDS meter.interestingly...the water from the $150 "five stage filter" ["crystal quest"]i've been using measures...300 ppm...exactly the same as the tap water. The "filtered water" looks as full of crap as the tap water. That's not a filter. It's an expensive paperweight.

The output water from the reverse osmosis filter[s] measures about 15 ppm.A reduction in particles of whatever sort in the tapwater from 300 to 15...that's 95 percent reduction.Unfortunately...there are still a few particles and fibers getting through...but not very many.

...it's really annoying to take a "pure" water sample from the triple filter reverse osmosis system..a sample thats reading a low 14-15 ppm impurities on the TDS meter..and stare at those damn translucent fibers...mostly barely visible..up to 5-7 mm long. How the heck do they do that?...run the gauntlet of THREE filters? The fibers are just plain eeeevil.

ok..I can confirm that the particulates are being reduced by 95 percent. Fine. I'll take that.Will assume..that it means that the infectious particles are being reduced by 95 percent...and maybe..the micro fibers are being reduced by 95%. Maybe...maybe...the body defenses can deal with the 5% that might be getting thru. Maybe.

I was pleased that the output of the filter system was as advertised..[rated at 100 gallon per day approx. a gallon every 15 minutes...and it did just that.

Advertised reduction in contaminants was 93-95 percent range..and so it was...verified with the TDS meter.

...water tastes good too...

a bit of a drag that so much water goes down the drain [4 to 1 ratio]...but the water is sewage to begin with..so...I don't feel all that bad about it.

** it seems that the KDF filter [prefilter] does a lot to control bacteria/ algal growth...the copper /zinc mojo screws with life support of the bacteria and algae.The KDF filter is ahead /in front of the reverse osmosis filter..so whatever ionic magic is happening in the KDF filter water is moved toward the reverse osmosis filter..the reverse osmosis filter should have some antibacterial benefit of the KDF filter output.

..in addition, the reverse osmosis filter is constantly being washed..that is where the waste water is coming from..the reverse osmosis membrane discharge /"brine." The whole point of the discharge water is to keep the membrane clean.It would seem to be a very challenging place for microbes to make a home. Between the copper/zinc ions and the constant water flushing, the bacteria/algae should be kept under control.

Note from Ayla:

I have purchased this unit for my apartment. Originally, I ordered it with the "pre-filter" which was supposed to save the life of one of the filters and end up being more cost effective. This was a big mistake. The pre-filter does not work well, clogs up with dirt and grime very quickly and needs to be replaced extremely often, making it much more expensive than replacing the cylinder. When I pulled the prefilter off the machine, it became less of an expense, and was less time-consuming to run. I suggest you stay away from the pre-filter.